Apparatus for producing continuous strands of wax



mun H144 M Sept. 17, 1-957 M. E. WALLIS 2,306,250

APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING-CONTINUOUS STRANDS 0F WAX Fil e'd Nov. 27, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Wafer pp y X Supp/ V 13 I j V I l5 I Bnventor:

MARVIN E,

WALLIS,

I (Ittorne'gs.

M. E. WALLIS 2,806,250

APPARATUS F OR PRODUCING CONTINUOUS STRANDS OF WAX Sept. 17, 1957 2 SheetsSheet 2 Filed Nov. 27, ;L953

Ill/Ill "Inn/n.rIa[lulu/4111101111111ranav ("nun/1111111111 Buncntor I MARVIN E. WALLIS;

8g aw 'WW Cittornegs,

United States Patent "7 cc Application November 27, 1953, Serial No. 394,598 4 Claims. or. 18-15) This invention relates to processing apparatus for wax and wax-like materials, and is concerned particularly with the production of continuous strands of wax or wax-like materials.

The underlying concept of the present invention resides in the flowing of the wax or wax-like material in molten condition onto an endlessly traveling'surface, so that the surface is progressively and substantially uniformly coated continuously as the surface travels. The coating of such material as applied to the traveling surface is solidified, and, thereafter, a multiplicity of longitudinally continuous strands of the character desired are simultaneously and progressively stripped from the solidified coating, in side-by-side relationship, as the srnface travels.

The apparatus here disclosed is particularly advantageous from the standpoints of economy of construction and operation, economy of floor space occupied, ease of cooling and of controlling the degree of cooling, simplicity and convenience of accomplishing the stripping operation, and the uniformity of results achieved.

The apparatus embodies a closed, rigid, hollow cylinder mounted for rotation on a horizontal axis, which is de sirably provided by hollow stub shafts at opposite ends of the cylinder, through which shafts respective inflow and outflow conduits pass for the circulation of a coolant through the hollow interior of the cylinder as it rotates. An elongate trough, extending longitudinally with the cylinder and in feed relationship with its exterior circumferential surface, provides for the application of the molten wax or other wax-like material, while a similarly extending serrated blade and a following straight-edge blade accomplished a gouging operation followed by a peeling operation to produce separate groups of strands which fall naturally onto a continuously moving conveyor for transportation to use or storage.

Further objects and features of the invention become apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 represents a front elevation;

Fig. 2, an end elevation looking from the left in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3, a longitudinal vertical section taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4, a transverse vertical section taken on the line 4--4 of Fig. l, and illustrating the machine in operation;

Fig. 5, a fragmentary section and bottom plan taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Referring now to the drawings:

In the apparatus illustrated, a closed, rigid, hollow cylinder is mounted for rotation on a horizontal axis by means of tubular stub shafts 11 and. 12, which extend from respectively opposite ends of the cylinder and are journaled in respective bearings 13 supported by respective structural frame uprights 14.

The circumferential, external, cylindrical surface 10a of the cylinder 10 is prefereably smooth and polished to provide the endlessly traveling surface on which the coating is formed.

2,806,250 Patented Sept. 17, 1957 As here illustrated, the cylinder 10 is arranged to be rotated 'by means of a motor 15, Fig. 2, having a drive sprocket chain 17, with a sprocket wheel 18 secured to the stub shaft 11.

A coolant, preferably cold water, is circulated through the hollow interior of the cylinder 10 by means of inflow and outflow piping 19 and 20, respectively, the former having distributing leg 19a extending along and in close adjacency to the interior surface of the circumferential cylindrical wall of the cylinder, with a series of nozzle outlets along its length. Accordingly, cold water is discharged in close proximity to the working face of the cylinder, and the warmed water is discharged at a location remote therefrom. Stuffing boxes 21 prevent leakage.

It is preferred that the molten material be applied to the surface 10a of the cylinder by means of an elongate trough 22 which extends longitudinally along the surface 10a and opens directly thereagainst, a lower lip member 22a being pressed in sealing contact with such surface toprev'ent leakage of the molten material supplied to the trough by afeed pipe 23.

. The trough 22 is advantageously supported, at its ends, by plates 24 rising from the frame uprights 14.

As indicated in Fig. 4, the molten wax from trough 22 is picked up by the relatively cool surface 10a of the drum as'it passes by, the nature of the arrangement being productive of a substantially uniform coating 25 over the entire length of such surface and extending continuously 'circumferentially thereof from the point of application.

For gouging a multiplicity of strips from the continuously formed coating 25, an elongate serrated blade 26 is securely mounted in longitudinally extending, working adjacency to the surface 10a, as by means of hangers 27 depending from fixed securement to the plates 24 so that the serrated blade edge 26a contacts such surface 10a at a suitable gouging angle, a indicated, see Fig. 4.

In operation, as the cylinder 10 rotates, the unbroken expanse of coating 25 is progressively carried into the line of action of the gouge blade 26, whereby spaced strips 28 of the wax or wax-like material are progressively gouged from the coating. It will be noted that spaced strips 29 remain adherent to the surface of the cylinder. These are peeled off by a straight-edge follower blade 30.

It will be noted that, in order to provide a multiplicity of strands of uniform width, the width of the teeth of the serrated blade 26 must equal the width of the spaces between the teeth. Under these circumstances, the strips 28 will be equal in width to the strips 29.

The straight-edge follower blade 30 extends relative to the surface ltla similarly to the serrated blade 26, but is disposed in a position which follows the latter, considered in the direction of rotation of the cylinder. It is here shown as secured to a correspondingly elongate supporting member 31, extending between and secured to the plates 24, its cutting edge being directed against and contacting the surface 10a of the cylinder at a suitably directed angle for peeling, as illustrated.

In operation, as the surface 10a continues past the serrated blade 26, the blade 30 peels off the strips 29, which have remained adherent thereto, and these fall as indicated in Fig. 4. It is advantageous that a guide shield 32 be provided to direct such strips 29 as they fall.

While the two groups of strips 28 and 29 may be handled in any desired fashion following their formation and removal from the surface 10a of the cylinder, it is preferred that they fall directly upon an endless conveyor arranged longitudinally of the cylinder and below the same, for example, the belt conveyor 33, Fig. l.

The speed of rotation of the cylinder 10 will be dependent, in any given instance, upon the melt point of the wax. Generally speaking, the higher the melt point the faster the wax will congcal and the faster the cylinder of 180 F. melting point cantbelprocessedappmximately six times faster than a wax of 120 F. where tap water is used as the coolant. The processing time can be loweredg, of course, in all instances, if nefrigeratedi water: or some othen-low temperature: coolant is employed.

Whereas this invention is here; illustrated and described with respect to a particular preferred form. of: apparatue, itistobelund'erstoodv that-both the-methodl and apparatus are. limited only; by the scope ofthe claimsiwhich here. followt.

I; claim: 1; Apparatus. for preparing waiefor; extrusion, comprise ing a. closed, hollow cylinder of: material havingza.

smooth outer: cylindrical; surface; means; mounting said cylinder approximately: horizontal: for rotation; about itsv longitudinall axis; means; for: rotatingsaid: cylinder; means for; introducing: a coolantiuto the hollow interior of said cylinden; a; serrated. blade extending longitudinally of the said: smooth; outercylindricah surface.- of' the. cylinder with itscutti'ng; edge against said: surface. and. directed in: op.- pofiition; to..the direction. of rotation thereof; a similarly positioned; blade. having a: blade; edge. which comprehends. hevalleysbetween, teeth of said serrated blade, said-sec.- ond blade being disposed at a location follnwing said. serrated; blade in. the directionof the rotation. of the said cylinder, and both said blades being located withinv appr ximately, the: lower-portion of said cylindrical surface; nd! means, for applying molten wax material across. the said: smooth outer cylindrical surfaceof the. cylinder, said. pply ng: means being. located at a position. relative to 4 said cylindrical surface remote from the said blades in a. direction opposite, to the. direction of rotation of said cylinder.

2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the material-applying means is an elongate trough extending longitudinally with the outer cylindrical surface of the cylinder and reai a-th einte long t en h 9 as 9 Q the molten material against the, said; surface as the latter rotates.

3;. Apparatus; as, set-forth. in claim! 1?, wherein the second named blade has a= continuous: bladeedge;

4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein an elone-guideshie d exten s longitudinally qt. the. outer cylindrical surface of the cylinder and depends downwardly therefrom immediatelybelow'theserrated blade; wherein means are provided for supporting said guide shield in its said position; and wherein the second blade is carried by saidz'guide shield along the lowenportion: thereofi R fe enc s! Cited; in the file of. Pa 

